Sharon Kay Gates

Sharon Kay Gates, beloved sister, Aunt, cousin and friend to so many, died Friday, August 27th in her home at the age of 71. Sharon is survived by her sisters Jan Kimble and Debbie Stewart (husband, Dave Stewart), brother Terry Miller, nephews Rick Henderson and Steven Stewart, her nieces Carinne McNamara and Shanna Hutcheson, several great nieces and great nephews, and very importantly, her current beloved puppies Marty and Joey. Sharon was born on September 23, 1949 in Kansas City, Missouri to Elmer and Carolyn Miller of Oak Grove, Missouri. Sharon graduated as the Valedictorian from Oak Grove High School in 1967, received her Bachelors degree in Music/Education from CMSU in Warrensburg Missouri and later earned her Master's degree in Library Sciences, becoming a school librarian in Nixa, MO until her retirement. She was married to Dwight Gates for 50 years. They never had kids but had many puppy kids over the years and she loved them all like her own children, not limited to but including Harvey, Ashley, Sammy, and Rusty. Sharon loved gathering with her many friends and groups she was a part of: her bunko groups, the retired librarian get-togethers, Retired Teachers Association, and her annual Kamp Khan girls' weekends. She was a lifelong Star Trek enthusiast and loved anything and everything to do with space, the moon and the stars. She was an avid reader and writer, and shared that love with all her nephews, nieces, and family members. Silver Dollar City was one of her favorite places to visit and we made an annual family trip at Christmas time over the last 30 years. As friends on Facebook said: I will always and forever think of you in the stars, a bright, magnetic, energy-filled light. She was a talent beyond measure, a generous, self-deprecating, funny and loving friend with a heart of gold. We hope she knew how very much she was loved, and by so many. Due to the ongoing pandemic, a Celebration of Sharon's Life will be held at a later date.